Disclaimer: Nah. I'm broke. I don't even have a job. I own nothing.

A/N: Here it is, the long awaited (okay, I hope it was long-awaited) next chapter. Blech. Just read.

PS: I think I broke my left pointer finger playing baseball today. Its weird to have to type without it. Anyway.

8

She paced- that was what Sarah did when she had something on her mind. Ryan used to complain that she was going to wear holes in the carpet…

Back and forth, footstep after footstep. She'd taken to going barefoot here in Rivendell- no one minded anyway. It was all singing and pondering and laughing and eating- now that the council was over, everyone had a new sense of purpose. Even if a definite feeling of foreboding had washed over the home, it was coupled with determination and courage.

Even Pippin and Merry, who had come to see her every day for the past week, were noticeably worried about Frodo and Sam. Nothing more had been decided thus far about the Fellowship, besides the two hobbits being at the head, so the three spent hours debating who would be going. Sarah tried not to let on that Gandalf, in fact, would be supporting Merry and Pippin while Elrond didn't want them to go, because their fervor was part of what convinced Elrond to let them go.

Sarah hadn't seen Frodo or Sam yet- she desperately wanted to, but she didn't think it was a good idea quite yet. She didn't know why- it was just a feeling. Maybe simple fear.

Basically, no one really knew anything about what was going on besides Sarah, and Alder of course. He was her advisor, sympathetic ear, and friend His room was right next to hers, and so he spent most of his time around Sarah, both voluntarily and because Sarah felt better with him around. At this moment, Alder was inspecting the pipe that Merry had given her so long ago in Hobbiton, while Sarah paced by the window.

"They won't leave for about two months," she murmured, just loud enough for Alder to know she wasn't talking to herself.

"Two months? You have very little time to work everything out. Will you try to leave with the fellowship?" Alder had made himself clear many times- wherever she went, he would go. Even if Aragorn hadn't asked it of him, he would have.

"Hmmmm… no," Sarah finally said, though it was still unclear in her mind. "I don't think that's a good idea. I don't want to alter anything that's going to happen… Oh, I hate this."

So many things swimming around in her mind… Frodo… the fate of Middle- Earth… her brother… the hobbits… Frodo… their future… Saruman… time travel… a carving with no hands… music… lies… Frodo… why couldn't she get him off of her mind?

She rubbed her temples in despair. Alder couldn't help but rise reflexively and put a hand on her shoulder. "Tell me what you're thinking. Please."

She stopped. "Okay. If you insist.

Remember the books I told you about, that tell the story of this whole war that's about to start? Well, I always hated the ending. I absolutely HATED it. Frodo is… he doesn't deserve this! He will be absolutely ruined by this whole horrible ordeal, so he can't even go back to his own life! He has to leave everyone- even Sam! He is an amazing, kind, sweet, normal person who is thrown into this quest because he's brave and strong and willing to sacrifice himself for the good of others! He sacrifices himself for the sake of the ones he loves, and it broke my heart when I read that! How can I sit back and watch him be destroyed, when I know what is going to happen and what I could change? When I read the ending to the book, the only thing I said to myself was: I wish I could take his place."

Angry tears had formed in her eyes. Alder understood her tendency to rant, so he just let her go on. She would calm herself down in a minute.

"BUT I CAN'T! This is Frodo's destiny and his quest and no one can do it but him! And that's what really scares me, because I have a quest as well- the quest concerning the Phenilring. What if I fail? What if I break- its already broken Ryan and I, how can I go on? I have to do something about Narindrel, because she's lying to him to keep him away from all of this- but how can I blame her? If Ryan stays away from everyone, the whole ordeal will pass him by! How could I want any less for my brother- I can't sit back and watch him ruined. But how can I do this alone? I can't. Frodo has Sam, the whole way through. Did I ever tell you that? Sam is the true hero of this quest. He never gives up- never! Even when Frodo gives out at the end, he never gives up! I can't trust Ryan to give me the same loyalty- he's already let me down! And I obviously am not devoted enough to him to sacrifice anything to keep us together. We're lost- something is missing. So, basically, I have no idea what to do." Her arms fell at her sides in defeat.

Alder frowned. "Lady Sarah, I have known you for quite a while now, would you agree?"

"Yeah. Yes." A pained look crossed her face, but she didn't push away. She could tell he wasn't trying to be romantic right now- he actually wanted to help.

He looked straight into her eyes. "Give a moment's thought to what you just said. Simply a moment's thought."

Brow furrowed, Sarah bit her lip and actually listened to him. It took her about ten seconds. She straightened up, her demeanor completely changed.

"You're right," she replied evenly, her jaw set. "I'm being ridiculous. I was actually on the verge of giving up, there, Alder. Thank you."

He smiled. He knew her too well.

"So what are we going to do?"

Sarah stroked her jaw- what was their goal, anyway? "We need to get to Saruman, preferably after the Ents destroy Isengard. That's in, ah, early March, I think. If today is… November second… then we have about four months. Saruman will have fallen by then and we may have the power to… what? I suppose we'll know when we get there. At least I hope so- if it turns out to be as easy as destroying the Phenilring or the Phenilstone, I'll be relieved." Her voice took on a flippant tone. "But now, my dear Alder, I have business to attend to. I want my brother back."

She walked out of the room, for the first time in a week, with a fire in her eyes that had been lit few times before. Alder shook his head and said softly, "Grace and peace to you, Lady Sarah. May your wit outstretch the sharpness of your tongue, or we may all regret your passion."

***

Ryan's head spun, and he couldn't seem to form coherent thoughts. He almost lost where he was for a moment, but he focused on the carved wood above his head, and this reminded him moment by moment that he was in his own bed in Rivendell. With his wife, breathing softly, by his side.

Distracted thoughts swam through his head, making no clear sense, like a puzzle that Ryan knew would make a complete picture if only he could put the pieces together.

Sarah… Narin… the council… Saruman… the Phenilring… truth… the warning… a dream of missing hands… the future and the past…

Suddenly, out of nowhere, he thought he could pick out a form bending over him. It murmured and stroked his forehead gently. Ryan moaned and tried to raise his hand, but he was too weak. As the figure bent closer, he could almost imagine it was Sarah herself, but Ryan told himself detachedly that he was hallucinating.

But she seemed so real.

***

Sarah stole back to her room, heart pounding like the hoofbeats of a racehorse. Alder rose in surprise as she shut the door.

"What is it?"

"I think she's making him sick. Narindrel. I think she's making my brother sick."

Alder's eyes grew wide. "What makes you think this?" he asked, joining her leaning against the mantle of the low fireplace.

"I don't know- you're right, maybe I'm being silly. Maybe he's just sick of his own accord, right? But how can I be sure?"

Alder sighed. "It would not be wise to accuse her if you have no proof. I suggest you find reason before you attempt to divide husband and wife."

Sarah looked down at her dress, grinning. "Well, I sure can't follow anyone wearing something like this. Where are my real clothes?"

***

For the next week, Sarah spent every waking moment casually exploring Rivendell, speaking to no one and making sure the elves began to take her presence in all sorts of places lightly. Eventually she could walk the halls almost anywhere in Rivendell without getting a second glance. This was perfect, because Narin seemed to know every nook and cranny of the place, and she had the uncanny ability to disappear around corners faster than Sarah could follow. The elf also avoided the hobbits almost pointedly, so Sarah didn't have that added complication either.

Sure, the human had qualms about trying to tail an elf, but Sarah found she could give herself a reason to be anywhere, so Narin never gave any sign of suspecting something.

Of course, it was more difficult to follow when Narin rode into the woods.

After her third disappearance on horseback, Sarah finally saddled Atriedes and followed. She told her horse to keep quiet but never lose the trail, and this steed of Rohan was a very smart animal. In a small glade over a mile from sight of the Last Homely House, Sarah found Narin's horse grazing while the elf quietly picked the petals from a small snaking plant. Sarah circled and hid in thicker forest, making sure Narin was far gone before she ventured to inspect the plant.

It was small, completely harmless. Or, seemingly. Sarah had the presence of mind to wear her gloves when she picked a few vines from the plant, so nothing could disturb possible evidence. She would take this straight to Aragorn, and maybe, hopefully, get some answers.

A day later, when she could finally find Aragorn and get him alone, Sarah showed him a small piece of the plant, watching his reaction closely before saying a word.

The Ranger's jaw dropped when he saw what she carried. His mind was full of more pressing thoughts, so he hadn't bothered to think of this girl for weeks. A One Ring of power invaded his thoughts, and the Phenilring could be pushed aside, in the capapble hands of Alder.

Aragorn had no idea anything was going on with Narin, and Sarah didn't tell him. No reason to distract the future king of Middle-Earth with a tiny thing like this.

"Where did you find this?" he asked sharply.

"In a glade about a mile from here. Can you tell me what it is? I've never seen it before on all of my travels."

Aragorn held the petals gently, inspecting them incredulously, almost as if he expected them to disappear. "This is rucana, also called dropberry. It grows only in the low hills of Dunland, and it is harmful, even deadly in large amounts. I greatly fear the reasons for its appearance in Rivendell."

Sarah narrowed her eyes. "Deadly? I have no idea how it got here, but you've helped me greatly. Thank you." She stalked off before he could question her further.

Alder met her just outside her room, which was right next to his. She held up the small vine of dropberry in triumph. Alder halted.

"Where did you find such a plant? This is deadly, Sarah!"

"Yeah. I got that. Narin's been feeding it to Ryan, I think. I wonder if that idiot knows it could kill him." Sarah kept walking, straight into her room.

"Alder," she said lightly as she began pulling out her clothes and piling them on the bed, "do you remember where Dunland is?"

"Of course I do. Why?" he sat on the edge of the bed, wondering why in the world she was packing.

"Saruman. Isengard. This plant. Don't you see? I heard her talking to herself! It's so ridiculous, but it all fits! I've been wrong, but only a little bit."

She laughed bitterly. Alder frowned. "I do not understand."

Sarah shook a pair of boots at him for emphasis. "Saruman! It all comes back to him!"

"Ahem. Are we leaving, Lady Sarah?"

"Yeah, Alder, we're leaving. And with a little luck, Ryan is coming with us."

She threw her hastily packed sack across the room, where it hit the door and slid to a stop. She nodded in satisfaction, then glanced pointedly at Alder. He got up, bewildered, and went to pack his things.

*** The next chapter is coming very soon! Confrontation between Sarah and Ryan and Narin! They lay it all on the line, baby!

Review, please! Input is always appreciated! I love my faithful reviewers- where are they???